ºüÀêÊÓƵ isn’t the region’s only city experiencing population decline, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates released Thursday.
Top 20 ºüÀêÊÓƵ-area cities by population
CITY | 2020 | 2022 | % CHANGE |
---|---|---|---|
ºüÀêÊÓƵ | 301,574 | 286,578 | -4.97% |
O'Fallon, Mo. | 91,347 | 93,663 | 2.54% |
St. Charles | 70,539 | 71,184 | 0.91% |
St. Peters | 57,731 | 58,523 | 1.37% |
Florissant | 52,532 | 51,506 | -1.95% |
Chesterfield | 49,999 | 49,327 | -1.34% |
Wentzville | 44,571 | 47,197 | 5.89% |
Belleville | 42,372 | 41,295 | -2.54% |
Wildwood | 35,416 | 34,954 | -1.30% |
University City | 35,061 | 34,355 | -2.01% |
O'Fallon, Ill. | 32,325 | 32,140 | -0.57% |
Ballwin | 31,174 | 30,622 | -1.77% |
Kirkwood | 29,466 | 29,279 | -0.63% |
Maryland Heights | 28,299 | 27,769 | -1.87% |
Granite City | 27,566 | 27,121 | -1.61% |
Edwardsville | 26,826 | 26,654 | -0.64% |
Alton | 25,660 | 25,217 | -1.73% |
Hazelwood | 25,469 | 25,047 | -1.66% |
Collinsville | 24,365 | 23,972 | -1.61% |
Webster Groves | 23,997 | 23,610 | -1.61% |
Most of the largest cities in the region saw drops between April 2020 to July 2022, the period covered by the latest report.
In ºüÀêÊÓƵ County, the state’s most populous, all but six of 88 municipalities lost population, according to the estimates. So did most of the 46 municipalities in Madison, Monroe and St. Clair counties in the Metro East.
But St. Charles County bucked the trend. O’Fallon, St. Charles and St. Peters, the three largest cities in the region after ºüÀêÊÓƵ, all saw growth.
The data released Thursday details previous county-level figures that showed ºüÀêÊÓƵ city in a decadeslong population decline while some outer rim counties experienced growth. Overall, the metropolitan area — including ºüÀêÊÓƵ and 14 counties — was down 0.4% to 2,801,319.
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Of the 10 largest cities on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River, ºüÀêÊÓƵ saw the largest drop, declining 4.97% to 286,578 residents.
Five others also saw declines, including Florissant — the largest city in ºüÀêÊÓƵ County — Chesterfield, Wildwood, University City and Ballwin.
Significant population declines were also seen in the Metro East, including in East ºüÀêÊÓƵ, Belleville and Fairview Heights. Of the 10 largest Metro East cities, only Glen Carbon didn’t see any population loss.
Ness Sandoval, a sociologist at ºüÀêÊÓƵ University, said city data reflects a trend in which families with children are leaving ºüÀêÊÓƵ and parts of ºüÀêÊÓƵ County for areas with better schools, cheaper housing stock and more room to develop.
While outlying cities have room to grow, many bedroom ºüÀêÊÓƵ County communities have zoning regulations restricting new development.
“The number of houses and multi-family apartments that can be built, in terms of zoning, that impacts how many people can live in a city,†he said.
Meanwhile, ºüÀêÊÓƵ County’s population skews older in age, and the county sees fewer births than St. Charles and Jefferson counties, he said.
“We’re seeing fewer and fewer households in ºüÀêÊÓƵ County with children compared to 20 years ago,†Sandoval said.
Pat Kelly, executive director of the Municipal League of Metropolitan ºüÀêÊÓƵ, said north ºüÀêÊÓƵ County in particular has faced challenges because of an older housing stock and issues with crime. Overall, the county has fewer affordable options for housing for families with younger children.
“It’s not a secret that homes are cheaper in St. Charles County when compared to the same home in ºüÀêÊÓƵ County,†he said.
But, Kelly said, population loss is an issue that needs to be addressed “from a regional perspective.â€
“It’s an issue we need to talk about from a regional perspective on how do we start to attract families to move here, get kids who graduate from college here to stay in the region, and make sure we can attract businesses that hire those students so they stay and raise their families here.â€
Among cities experiencing growth, one small city in St. Charles County grew quicker than all the rest.
St. Paul, a city of about 3,500 residents in north St. Charles County, added more than 500 of its residents after 2020, growing by nearly 18%.
The city, incorporated in in 1972, has more than doubled its population since 2010.
Longtime Mayor Vernon Bauer said the city has boomed in the last four or five years because it has land available for families and retirees looking for “country living.†The growth has largely been in a new subdivision, Riverdale, near Highway 79 and Vomund Road, that began development in 2006, Bauer said.
“We’re kind of away from the big city atmosphere and even though it might be the big subdivision, it’s still out in the country,†said Bauer, 65, and a lifelong resident.
“And if you’re looking to build, we have lots ready to go.â€
Population estimates for ºüÀêÊÓƵ-area municipalities
CITY | COUNTY | STATE | April 1, 2020 | July 1, 2022 | % CHANGE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ballwin | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 31,174 | 30,622 | -1.77% |
Bella Villa | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 753 | 736 | -2.26% |
Bellefontaine Neighbors | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 10,735 | 10,447 | -2.68% |
Bellerive Acres | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 188 | 185 | -1.60% |
Bel-Nor | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 1,397 | 1,367 | -2.15% |
Bel-Ridge | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 2,136 | 2,094 | -1.97% |
Berkeley | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 8,215 | 8,064 | -1.84% |
Beverly Hills | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 473 | 463 | -2.11% |
Black Jack | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 6,648 | 6,559 | -1.34% |
Breckenridge Hills | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 4,462 | 4,365 | -2.17% |
Brentwood | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 8,231 | 8,100 | -1.59% |
Bridgeton | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 11,450 | 11,338 | -0.98% |
Calverton Park | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 1,144 | 1,127 | -1.49% |
Champ | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 11 | 11 | 0.00% |
Charlack | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 1,299 | 1,279 | -1.54% |
Chesterfield | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 49,999 | 49,327 | -1.34% |
Clarkson Valley | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 2,610 | 2,563 | -1.80% |
Clayton | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 17,362 | 17,130 | -1.34% |
Cool Valley | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 1,036 | 1,014 | -2.12% |
Country Club Hills | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 1,015 | 998 | -1.67% |
Country Life Acres | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 73 | 72 | -1.37% |
Crestwood | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 12,409 | 12,221 | -1.52% |
Creve Coeur | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 18,831 | 18,565 | -1.41% |
Crystal Lake Park | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 506 | 504 | -0.40% |
Dellwood | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 4,907 | 4,831 | -1.55% |
Des Peres | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 9,192 | 9,126 | -0.72% |
Edmundson | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 859 | 847 | -1.40% |
Ellisville | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 10,003 | 9,861 | -1.42% |
Eureka | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 11,683 | 12,729 | 8.95% |
Fenton | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 4,117 | 4,062 | -1.34% |
Ferguson | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 18,524 | 18,143 | -2.06% |
Flordell Hills | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 725 | 711 | -1.93% |
Florissant | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 52,532 | 51,506 | -1.95% |
Frontenac | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 3,613 | 3,705 | 2.55% |
Glen Echo Park | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 120 | 118 | -1.67% |
Glendale | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 6,180 | 6,077 | -1.67% |
Grantwood Village | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 939 | 926 | -1.38% |
Green Park | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 2,709 | 2,673 | -1.33% |
Greendale | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 646 | 635 | -1.70% |
Hanley Hills | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 1,996 | 1,964 | -1.60% |
Hazelwood | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 25,469 | 25,047 | -1.66% |
Hillsdale | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 1,215 | 1,191 | -1.98% |
Huntleigh | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 357 | 351 | -1.68% |
Jennings | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 12,899 | 12,824 | -0.58% |
Kinloch | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 265 | 260 | -1.89% |
Kirkwood | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 29,466 | 29,279 | -0.63% |
Ladue | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 8,987 | 8,905 | -0.91% |
Lakeshire | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 1,556 | 1,524 | -2.06% |
Manchester | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 18,336 | 18,076 | -1.42% |
Maplewood | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 8,270 | 8,099 | -2.07% |
Marlborough | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 2,220 | 2,188 | -1.44% |
Maryland Heights | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 28,299 | 27,769 | -1.87% |
Moline Acres | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 2,156 | 2,113 | -1.99% |
Normandy | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 4,284 | 4,206 | -1.82% |
Northwoods | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 3,687 | 3,609 | -2.12% |
Norwood Court | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 890 | 876 | -1.57% |
Oakland | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 1,392 | 1,376 | -1.15% |
Olivette | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 8,510 | 8,393 | -1.37% |
Overland | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 15,945 | 15,616 | -2.06% |
Pacific | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 7,400 | 7,434 | 0.46% |
Pagedale | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 2,557 | 2,517 | -1.56% |
Pasadena Hills | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 912 | 893 | -2.08% |
Pasadena Park | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 440 | 431 | -2.05% |
Pine Lawn | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 2,758 | 2,701 | -2.07% |
Richmond Heights | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 9,290 | 9,115 | -1.88% |
Riverview | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 2,396 | 2,345 | -2.13% |
Rock Hill | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 4,748 | 4,671 | -1.62% |
Shrewsbury | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 6,408 | 6,286 | -1.90% |
St. Ann | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 13,020 | 12,755 | -2.04% |
St. John | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 6,641 | 6,509 | -1.99% |
Sunset Hills | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 9,189 | 9,070 | -1.30% |
Sycamore Hills | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 558 | 548 | -1.79% |
Town and Country | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 11,645 | 11,584 | -0.52% |
Twin Oaks | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 594 | 585 | -1.52% |
University City | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 35,061 | 34,355 | -2.01% |
Uplands Park | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 311 | 306 | -1.61% |
Valley Park | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 6,879 | 6,768 | -1.61% |
Velda City | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 1,189 | 1,219 | 2.52% |
Velda Village Hills | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 879 | 860 | -2.16% |
Vinita Park | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 1,985 | 1,943 | -2.12% |
Warson Woods | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 2,021 | 1,989 | -1.58% |
Webster Groves | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 23,997 | 23,610 | -1.61% |
Wellston | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 1,537 | 1,581 | 2.86% |
Westwood | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 316 | 311 | -1.58% |
Wilbur Park | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 435 | 428 | -1.61% |
Wildwood | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 35,416 | 34,954 | -1.30% |
Winchester | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 1,441 | 1,413 | -1.94% |
Woodson Terrace | ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 3,954 | 3,889 | -1.64% |
Augusta | St. Charles | Mo. | 269 | 266 | -1.12% |
Cottleville | St. Charles | Mo. | 5,616 | 5,787 | 3.04% |
Dardenne Prairie | St. Charles | Mo. | 12,755 | 13,564 | 6.34% |
Flint Hill | St. Charles | Mo. | 805 | 836 | 3.85% |
Foristell | St. Charles | Mo. | 547 | 597 | 9.14% |
Lake Saint Louis | St. Charles | Mo. | 16,703 | 18,337 | 9.78% |
New Melle | St. Charles | Mo. | 541 | 536 | -0.92% |
O'Fallon | St. Charles | Mo. | 91,347 | 93,663 | 2.54% |
Portage Des Sioux | St. Charles | Mo. | 331 | 327 | -1.21% |
St. Charles | St. Charles | Mo. | 70,539 | 71,184 | 0.91% |
St. Paul | St. Charles | Mo. | 3,004 | 3,537 | 17.74% |
St. Peters | St. Charles | Mo. | 57,731 | 58,523 | 1.37% |
Weldon Spring | St. Charles | Mo. | 5,328 | 5,275 | -0.99% |
Wentzville | St. Charles | Mo. | 44,571 | 47,197 | 5.89% |
West Alton | St. Charles | Mo. | 357 | 352 | -1.40% |
Arnold | Jefferson | Mo. | 20,851 | 20,845 | -0.03% |
Byrnes Mill | Jefferson | Mo. | 3,175 | 3,172 | -0.09% |
Crystal City | Jefferson | Mo. | 4,736 | 4,710 | -0.55% |
De Soto | Jefferson | Mo. | 6,451 | 6,451 | 0.00% |
Festus | Jefferson | Mo. | 12,701 | 13,193 | 3.87% |
Herculaneum | Jefferson | Mo. | 4,678 | 5,165 | 10.41% |
Hillsboro | Jefferson | Mo. | 3,474 | 3,493 | 0.55% |
Kimmswick | Jefferson | Mo. | 135 | 134 | -0.74% |
Olympian Village | Jefferson | Mo. | 719 | 714 | -0.70% |
Pevely | Jefferson | Mo. | 6,035 | 6,027 | -0.13% |
ºüÀêÊÓƵ | City of ºüÀêÊÓƵ | Mo. | 301,574 | 286,578 | -4.97% |
Alhambra | Madison | Ill. | 619 | 610 | -1.45% |
Alton | Madison | Ill. | 25,660 | 25,217 | -1.73% |
Bethalto | Madison | Ill. | 9,312 | 9,213 | -1.06% |
Collinsville | Madison | Ill. | 24,365 | 23,972 | -1.61% |
East Alton | Madison | Ill. | 5,783 | 5,683 | -1.73% |
Edwardsville | Madison | Ill. | 26,826 | 26,654 | -0.64% |
Glen Carbon | Madison | Ill. | 13,834 | 13,847 | 0.09% |
Godfrey | Madison | Ill. | 17,820 | 17,688 | -0.74% |
Granite City | Madison | Ill. | 27,566 | 27,121 | -1.61% |
Hamel | Madison | Ill. | 923 | 918 | -0.54% |
Hartford | Madison | Ill. | 1,189 | 1,168 | -1.77% |
Highland | Madison | Ill. | 9,992 | 10,009 | 0.17% |
Livingston | Madison | Ill. | 765 | 753 | -1.57% |
Marine | Madison | Ill. | 909 | 943 | 3.74% |
Maryville | Madison | Ill. | 8,229 | 8,294 | 0.79% |
New Douglas | Madison | Ill. | 346 | 339 | -2.02% |
Roxana | Madison | Ill. | 1,451 | 1,426 | -1.72% |
South Roxana | Madison | Ill. | 1,890 | 1,865 | -1.32% |
St. Jacob | Madison | Ill. | 1,374 | 1,373 | -0.07% |
Troy | Madison | Ill. | 10,919 | 11,131 | 1.94% |
Venice | Madison | Ill. | 1,492 | 1,468 | -1.61% |
Wood River | Madison | Ill. | 10,456 | 10,351 | -1.00% |
Worden | Madison | Ill. | 1,093 | 1,076 | -1.56% |
Columbia | Monroe | Ill. | 11,009 | 10,970 | -0.35% |
Fults | Monroe | Ill. | 26 | 26 | 0.00% |
Hecker | Monroe | Ill. | 429 | 423 | -1.40% |
Maeystown | Monroe | Ill. | 149 | 149 | 0.00% |
Valmeyer | Monroe | Ill. | 1,232 | 1,219 | -1.06% |
Waterloo | Monroe | Ill. | 11,014 | 11,130 | 1.05% |
Belleville | St. Clair | Ill. | 42,372 | 41,295 | -2.54% |
Caseyville | St. Clair | Ill. | 4,394 | 4,391 | -0.07% |
Dupo | St. Clair | Ill. | 3,987 | 3,875 | -2.81% |
East Carondelet | St. Clair | Ill. | 390 | 379 | -2.82% |
East ºüÀêÊÓƵ | St. Clair | Ill. | 18,466 | 17,919 | -2.96% |
Fairview Heights | St. Clair | Ill. | 16,712 | 16,324 | -2.32% |
Freeburg | St. Clair | Ill. | 4,593 | 4,529 | -1.39% |
Lebanon | St. Clair | Ill. | 4,693 | 4,614 | -1.68% |
Lenzburg | St. Clair | Ill. | 467 | 456 | -2.36% |
Marissa | St. Clair | Ill. | 1,835 | 1,781 | -2.94% |
Mascoutah | St. Clair | Ill. | 8,753 | 8,634 | -1.36% |
Millstadt | St. Clair | Ill. | 4,074 | 3,981 | -2.28% |
New Athens | St. Clair | Ill. | 1,953 | 1,901 | -2.66% |
O'Fallon | St. Clair | Ill. | 32,325 | 32,140 | -0.57% |
Smithton | St. Clair | Ill. | 4,006 | 3,946 | -1.50% |
St. Libory | St. Clair | Ill. | 630 | 617 | -2.06% |
Summerfield | St. Clair | Ill. | 344 | 337 | 0.00% |